Unforgettable Fire® Burning Bush

Light Needs

Full Sun

(6+ Hours Direct Sun)

Mature Height

5-7 Feet

Mature Spread

5-7 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 8

Unforgettable Fire® Burning Bush turns autumn beds brilliant red on a fuller, finer-branched shrub. Euonymus alatus 'Hayman' grows about 5 to 7 feet tall and wide, with smaller green leaves held on dense mounded branching through summer. The fall color is the reason to plant it, especially in full sun where the foliage develops its strongest red tones. It makes a dependable autumn focal point with a cleaner shape than conventional burning bush.

This Proven Winners® ColorChoice® selection was developed by Michael Hayman of Louisville, Kentucky. It is deciduous, cold hardy, rabbit resistant, and adaptable to many average garden soils. Green spring flowers are insignificant, but corky bark and fine branching add winter texture after the leaves drop. Plant Unforgettable Fire® Burning Bush in permitted regions as a hedge, mass planting, foundation shrub, fall-color specimen, or residential screen away from unmanaged woodland edges.

Unforgettable Fire® Burning Bush Care

Plant Unforgettable Fire® Burning Bush in full sun for the brightest fall color, although it can grow in partial shade. It adapts to clay, loam, sandy soil, acidic soil, neutral soil, and alkaline soil when drainage is good. Avoid extremely wet sites, since saturated soil can weaken the roots.

Water thoroughly after planting, and provide average moisture while the plant settles in. Once rooted into the landscape, this shrub is fairly adaptable and usually needs supplemental water only during prolonged dry weather. Fertilize in early spring with a granular shrub fertilizer if growth is light or the soil is poor. Add a 2 to 3 inch mulch layer over the root zone to moderate soil moisture and protect the shallow roots.

Prune Unforgettable Fire® Burning Bush in late spring after new growth emerges for light shaping. For more extensive size reduction, prune in late winter before growth resumes. Avoid cutting into older thick stems unless removing them completely, since large cuts can take time to cover and may alter the natural mound.

Unforgettable Fire® Burning Bush Spacing

Space Unforgettable Fire® Burning Bush 5 to 8 feet apart for hedges, mass plantings, and broad foundation groups. Allow 7 to 8 feet between plants when each shrub should mature as a separate rounded specimen. For containers, use a large pot at least 20 to 24 inches wide with drainage holes, and plan on in-ground planting as the shrub gains size.

In sunny beds, combine Unforgettable Fire® Burning Bush with amsonia and asters for spring texture, late-season flowers, and complementary fall color. Switchgrass can stand nearby as a vertical grass accent that continues the autumn display after the shrub changes color. Boxwoods add evergreen structure in front or beside the burning bush, keeping the planting anchored through winter.

Restricted States: MA, ME, NH and VT.

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